This year's partner country of the Diplomatic Council Spring Festival is India, the world's largest democracy. The Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak will present his country on April 22 in Frankfurt/Germany, discuss current developments and answer questions. And because the traditional mango festival is celebrated in India every year, the Diplomatic Council is celebrating a combined spring and manifesto this year. Members and guests are welcome!
FURTHER INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Fresh mangoes from India
India is a leading exporter of fresh mangoes around the world and is home to around 1,000 varieties of mango. The Indian mango is a special product that underpins the high quality standards and rich nutrients it contains. A single mango can provide up to 40 percent of the daily requirement of dietary fiber - which is considered an effective protection against heart disease, cancer and cholesterol formation. In addition, this delicious fruit is a veritable treasure trove of potassium, beta-carotene and antioxidants.
A "Mango Corner" will be set up at the DC Spring Festival. All participants will have the opportunity to participate in an Indian mango tasting.
The choice of India for this year's Spring Festival is no coincidence – not just because of the mangos. Following the escalating dispute between the People's Republic of China and the USA, many Western companies are looking for new locations for manufacturing, sourcing and sales in Asia in order to reduce their dependence on China. In the process, India is increasingly coming onto the radar of Western and therefore also German businesses.
With over 1.4 billion inhabitants, India is the most populous country in the world with an average age of 28. This promises an economically prosperous future not only for the Indians themselves, but also for Western companies that are active there.
On course for growth, but at a distance
The Indian economy has been growing strongly for years. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 8.7% in 2022. By comparison, the EU's GDP grew by 5.4% in the same year. However, this should not obscure the fact that India still has a long way to go to catch up. India's GDP amounted to around 3.2 trillion US dollars in 2022. The EU's GDP in the same year was around 19.4 trillion dollars. This means that the EU is more than six times as strong as India when measured against this figure. GDP per capita in India in 2022 was around 2,200 dollars, while in the EU it was around 41,000 dollars. In other words, EU citizens earn on average more than 18 times as much as Indians.
Trade between India and the EU amounted to around 100 billion dollars in 2022. India mainly brings goods such as textiles, shoes and electronics to the EU. The EU primarily exports machinery, chemicals and vehicles to India.
One of the oldest civilizations in the world
In addition to the economic aspects, it is also about culture. India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a rich history dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Historical sites include the Taj Mahal, the temples of Khajuraho and the ruins of Mohenjo-daro.
India offers a variety of landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the tropical beaches of Goa. The Thar Desert, the Sundarbans National Park, the Kerala Ghats and, of course, the Himalayas with Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, are all worth seeing.